Anciano nips Rada for premier girls title; Padilla scores


Rafa Anciano nipped close friend Chloe Rada in the second hole of an exciting playoff for the girls’ premier age category of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Luzon Series 3 at Pinewoods Golf and Country Club in Baguio on Thursday.

In front of the fringe on the par-4 18th, Anciano calmly chipped to within three feet and saved par to claim victory after Rada failed to save her 4 after leaving herself with a long putt off a poor blast from the greenside trap.

Rada caught Anciano with a 356 after regulation after shooting a fourth round 90. Anciano shot a 91.

In the boys’ category, Tristan Padilla dominated with an emphatic 11-shot victory. Leading Charles Serdenia by nine strokes after 54 holes, Padilla extended his lead with a frontside 36.

Despite Serdenia’s rally featuring three birdies in the first four holes on the backside, the 15-year-old Padilla, who finished second at Pradera Verde, maintained his lead, finishing with a three-under 285 total after a 68 spiked by a solid backside 32.Serdenia, aiming for a second win after the Splendido Taal leg, fired a 70. He, however, earned crucial points for the upcoming JPGT Match Play Championship in October.

Alas Pilipinas girls lose chance to reach final of Thailand tilt


Alas Pilipinas girls during a game against Indonesia in the Princess Cup Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas girls missed a chance to reach the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball final after getting swept by Indonesia, 22-25, 18-25, 19-25, on Wednesday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

The Indonesians were too much for the Filipino Spikers as they finished second in the preliminary round with a 4-1 record, forging a winner-take-all duel against host Thailand on Thursday.

The national youth team kept it close late in the opening set behind the efforts of Harlyn Serneche, Denesse Daylisan, and Avril Bron to cut it down to 22-24 but Azzahra Dwi Febyane delivered the set-clinching hit off the Filipino blockers to draw first blood.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls bounce back, stay in title hunt

The Indonesians dominated the last two sets to book a trip to the final.

Alas, led by Kimberly Rubin, finished the preliminary with a 3-2 record in third place, battling the No.4 seed for the bronze medal on Thursday at 3 p.m. (Manila time).

Australia and Malaysia, tied at 3-1, were still disputing the fourth seed as of posting time, facing Singapore and unbeaten Thailand, respectively.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls off to 2-0 start in Thailand tournament

The Philippines beat both squads in the prelims, following a 25-16, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19 win over Australia less than 24 hours ago.

Japanese coach Taka Minowa still has a chance to reach the podium in his debut stint as a national youth tactician for Alas.

Alas girls will also compete in the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship from June 16 to 23 at the same venue.

Alas Pilipinas girls cop bronze medal in Thailand U18 tournament


FILE–Alas Pilipinas girls during a game in the Princess Cup Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas Girls captured a historic bronze medal in the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship after sweeping Australia, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20, in the battle for third on Thursday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

The national youth team turned to Kimberly Rubin and Harlyn Serneche anew to beat the Australians for the second time this tournament and earn its best finish in its second appearance in the regional meet.

Alas, under rookie Japanese coach Taka Minowa, surpassed the previous fourth place of the former national youth team, led by Princess Cup Best Libero Kath Arado in 2016.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls lose chance to reach final of Thailand tilt

The 2016 youth team fell to to Indonesia, 12-25, 21-25, 17-25, in the bronze medal match but Arado proved to be the silver lining of the tournament after earning a spot on the mythical team.

In the u-18 team’s revival, Minowa, also Akari’s coach in the PVL, and his wards won four of their six games, bouncing back from a crucial 22-25, 18-25, 19-25 loss to Indonesia on Wednesday.

The nationals dominated the opening set but needed to fight back from a 13-16 deficit in the second as the Aussies committed three consecutive attack errors before Serneche drilled an attack and Lianne Penuliar nailed an ace for a 19-16 lead.

READ: Alas Pilipinas podium finish ushers in new era for PH volleyball

Australia trimmed it down to 22-21 but Serneche and Ashley Macalinao put on the finishing touches of the second for a two-set lead.

Alas broke a tie at 19-all after back-to-back miscues from Australia before Rosie Alchin stopped the bleeding, 21-20. Maile Salang’s big block and miscommunication from the Aussies allowed the Filipinos to pull away with a 23-20 lead, as Rubin sealed the bronze with back-to-back kills.

Interestingly, Alas women’s team, led by Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino, earned bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup last month after beating Australia.

The national youth team got a morale booster from its bronze finish before heading to the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship starting on Sunday at the same venue.

Thailand and Indonesia will clash for the Princess Cup supremacy later in the day.

Alas Pilipinas girls bounce back, stay in title hunt


Alas Pilipinas girls and Australia in the Princess Cup Southeast Asian U-18 Volleyball Championship in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas girls stayed in championship contention after bouncing back with a 25-16, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19 victory over Australia in the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship on Tuesday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

Licking the wounds of their tough first defeat to Thailand less than 24 hours ago, the national youth team regained the share of second place tied with Indonesia with 3-1 records.

The Philippines and Indonesia clash for a Final berth on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. (Manila time).

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls off to 2-0 start in Thailand tournament

The top two teams clash in a winner-take-all final on Thursday. Thailand leads the league with a 3-0 card, eyeing its fourth sin against Singapore as of posting time.

Kimberly Rubin continued to shine bright for Alas, while Lianne Penuliar and Harlyn Serneche backstopped Rubin as the Nationals recovered from a 15-25, 12-25, 11-25 loss to Thailand on Monday evening.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls rip Singapore to open Thailand U18 tilt

The Aussies tried to orchestrate a comeback after winning the third and put up a gallant stand in the fourth but their errors allowed the Filipino Spikers to escape behind the finishing touches of Rubin, Serneche, and Avril Bron.

Alas pulled off a comeback in the second set, crawling its way back from a 19-23 deficit as Serneche scored three points in a row before Bron’s set-tying ace.

Anni Tang committed a crucial attack error followed by Denesse Daylisan’s set-clinching kill for a two-set lead.

Kings’ Montessori beats NU for Shakey’s Girls volleyball bronze


Kings’ Montessori School during the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League against National University-Nazareth School.–Photo from SGVIL

MANILA, Philippines — Sisters Shekaina and Shahanna Lleses powered the Kings’ Montessori School past National University-Nazareth School, 25-18, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22, to bring home the bronze medal of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) on Sunday at Adamson Gym.

Shekaina unleashed a game-high 28 points off 25 attacks and three aces, while her sister Shahanna backstopped her with 14 points to stun the UAAP runner-up in one hour and 57 minutes.

“It’s very heartwarming to see these kids [win against] top school NU. They worked hard for it and this bronze is the result of their hardships and sacrifices,” said KMS assistant coach Glenn Gomez, attributing their victory to head coach Onyok Getigan, who is in Japan for Farm Fresh’s training camp.

READ: UAAP rivals arrange KO semis in Shakey’s Girls volleyball

“This is for coach Onyok. This result is because of his knowledge and guidance. He even called us from Japan to talk to the players.”

Aiana Jumawan ran the plays as Justine Decena chipped in seven points, while Kriska Gindap and Mhyne Escote added six points each.

Kings’ Montessori fell to finalist Bacolod Tay Tung, 25-18, 25-14, 25-23, in the knockout semifinal on Thursday.

NUNS settled for fourth place for the second straight year with Diza Marie Verayo leading the team with 22 points off 19 attacks and three aces. Joseline Salazar contributed 12 points off eight attacks, two blocks, and a pair of aces, while Mardy Tayag added 11 points.

Meanwhile,  Far Eastern University-Diliman cruised past Arellano University, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, for a fifth-place finish.

READ: New-look California Academy begins Shakey’s Girls title defense

Riane Alonzo led the Lady Baby Tamaraws with 11 points, while Shiela Pascual and Clarisses Loresco added 10 points each, combining for 18 of FEU-Diliman’s 38 attack points.

“I’m happy that they brought out their A game. They just needed a little more push and better communication inside the court,” said FEU coach Joanne Bunag.

Samantha Maranan was the lone bright spot for the Lady Braves with 15 points.

Shane Reterta poured in 27 points as Bethel Academy College overcame  Lyceum of the Philippines University, 22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20, for a seventh-place finish.

Reterta pounded 25 kills and had two aces. Trisha Porto added nine points while Andrea Dinglasan and Jerrize Armintia had combined 11 markers for the Bethelites, who had a good run in their first GVIL foray.

Philip Gancia and Charle Rutaquio posted 14 and 12 points, respectively, but weren’t enough to save the Junior Lady Pirates. 

Adamson caps dominant stint with Shakey’s Girls volleyball crown


Adamson celebrates during the Shakey’s Girls volleyball final. Photo from SGVIL

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson stamped its class to rule the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League after dominating Bacolod Tay Tung, 25-20, 25-5, 25-22, in the winner-take-all final on Sunday at Adamson Gym.

The Lady Baby Falcons had another perfect campaign, sweeping all of their six matches in the SGVIL capped by a quick win over the reigning Palarong Pambansa champions.

Adamson also swept the UAAP Season 86, winning all of its 14 games.

READ: Kings’ Montessory beats NU for Shakey’s Girls volleyball bronze

Shaina Nitura emerged as the tournament MVP, leaving a winning legacy with another championship before she moves up to college with the Lady Falcons for Season 87 next year.

“It’s not just special for me. It’s special for the team, coaches, our parents and the Adamson community,” said the graduating high school sensation.

“This is a very good opportunity for my teammates, who will be left. They gained confidence and courage for the next leagues, especially for (UAAP) Season 87.”

Nitura delivered 10 points off eight attacks and two aces in her final high school game.

Lhouriz Tuddao led the collective effort of Adamson with 11 points highlighted by five blocks, while Abegail Segui was also instrumental with 10 points.

READ: UAAP rivals arrange KO semis in Shakey’s Girls volleyball

“I told them to renew the right mindset, whenever they are in doubt with what they do so that they can have a better flow of movement,” said Adamson coach JP Yude.

The Baby Lady Falcons, who convincingly took the opening set, unleashed a 14-3 start in the second frame before scoring seven straight points for a 21-4 spread after Nitura’s ace en route to a two-set advantage.

The Thunderbolts’ five points in the second came from the home team’s four service errors and only converted one attack point.

Bacolod Tay Tung refused to play a lopsided championship game, starting the third with a 10-6 lead before Segui scored back-to-back kills to take a 11-10 advantage and force a see-saw battle.

Adamson pulled away after Tuddao’s big block for a 23-20 lead before Nitura’s attack error. Libero Mariana Pineda’s lucky push put the Baby Lady Falcons at match point, 24-21, followed by Segui’s service error.

Setter Felicity Sagaysay nailed the championship-clinching 1-2 play to end the game in just 70 minutes.

It was still a great stint for Bacolod Tay Tung, which improved to silver after a bronze finish last year.

The Thunderbolts won five games before losing the championship, where no one scored in double figures with Rhose Almendralejo leading the way with seven points.

Meanwhile, Shakey’s and organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management Group Inc. (ACES) will stage the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals in July, where the top three UAAP and NCAA teams will compete against college teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The third edition of the preseason championship, featuring 10 NCAA squads and eight UAAP teams, takes place later this year.

Alas Pilipinas girls off to 2-0 start in Thailand tournament


Alas Pilipinas girls during a game against Malaysia in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas girls overcame Malaysia, eking out a 25-20, 27-29, 25-22, 25-18 win to stay unbeaten in the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship on Sunday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

The Philippines leaned on Kimberly Rubin and Lianne Penuliar, who stepped up when it mattered most to stave off the tough challenge by the Malaysians.

The young Nationals couldn’t sustain their first set win as their effort to save four set points in the second frame wasn’t enough to stop Malaysia from tying the game at 1-1.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls rip Singapore to open Thailand U18 tilt

Alas was quick to get its act together in the third, taking a 17-10 spread but the Malaysians never wavered as they tied the game at 21.

Rubin and Penuliar restored the order for the Filipinos for a 23-21 breather followed by two consecutive errors from both squads to reach set point, 24-22.

Penuliar delivered the set-clinching attack to take a 2-1 advantage.

The Philippines pulled away from a precarious 17-15 lead in the fourth, scoring eight of the last 11 points capped by Penuliar’s game-winning hit.

Alas earned an early 2-0 lead in the six-team competition, where the top two squads of the single round-robin will clash in a winner-take-all final on June 13.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls set for two U18 tournaments

The Philippines takes on host Thailand on Monday at 5:30 p.m. (Manila time).

The Thais, who were eyeing their second win against Australia as of posting time, dominated Indonesia on Saturday with a 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 win.

National girls’ volleyball team coach Taka Minowa won his first two games, following a 25-14, 25-6, 25-12 demolition of Singapore on Saturday.

The Japanese coach and Alas girls will also compete in the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship from June 16 to 23 also in Thailand.

Malaysia fell to a 0-2 record, losing its first match to Australia, 25-12, 25-18, 25-21.

Alas Pilipinas girls rip Singapore to open Thailand U18 tilt


Alas Pilipinas girls. Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas girls demolished Singapore, 25-14, 25-6, 25-12, to kick off its 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship on a rousing note on Saturday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

University of Santo Tomas high school star Kimberly Rubin led the collective effort of the Philippine U-18 team for its first win in the six-team competition, where the top two teams of the single round-robin will clash in a winner-take-all final on June 13.

Rubin scored most of her points in the second set, where they dominated the Singaporeans by 19 points.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls set for two U18 tournaments

Kimberly Rubin shone brightly, racking up eight points in the second set alone. 

UST players Lianne Penuliar and Avril Bron were also instrumental for Alas, while Harlyn Serneche of National University-Nazareth School contributed to the squad in their first win.

Ashley Macalinao of Kings’ Montessori School scored five points in the third set before NUNS Akeyla Bartolabac delivered the game-winning ace.

READ: PH national volleyball teams to be called Alas Pilipinas

It was a winning debut for the new Philippine girls’ volleyball team Taka Minowa of Akari, which is also the backer of the young nationals.

Alas battles face Malaysia on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (Manila time) before taking on Thailand, Australia, and Indonesia.

The Alas girls will also compete in the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship from June 16 to 23 also in Thailand.